Hiking & Trekking

Travel on foot is often the most rewarding way to explore the expansive system of nature trails in Alaska. Alyeska Resort offers convenient access to trails of all levels. Please explore the summer hiking maps for more information. Summer Trail Maps are available at the Concierge Desk and Tram Ticket Office. For other trail options in the area, view the Girdwood trail map.

For an interpretative experience, take a guided rain forest or nature hike. On the more adventurous side, the Glacier Trek is a must. Experience first-hand the power of a glacier and learn basic mountaineering skills.

All tours listed below can be booked with Alyeska's Concierge Desk: 907-754-2108. The Concierge Desk is located next to the Front Desk at The Hotel Alyeska.

Iceberg Viewing Walk at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop by Train

Ride the scenic Glacier Discovery train along the Turnagain Arm to the Spencer Whistle Stop. At Spencer you will disembark the train to experience the wilderness and get away from the crowds by starting your hike where most people turn around. Enjoy a two-mile hike along a well maintained USFS trail to the face of Spencer Glacier. One goal is to touch an iceberg!From the Spencer Whistle Stop, hikers load onto a shuttle for a 1 mile drive to the edge of Spencer Lake. The Iceberg Hike begins there, where the rest turn around… Naturalist hiking guides lead groups of 10 or less along the lake edge, stopping to pick up Icebergs and take photos at several glacier viewing areas. Hikers enjoy outstanding views of the glacier and icebergs floating in the Spencer glacial lake. The total distance from the start of the hike to the edge of the glacier is about 2 miles of flat Forest Service maintained trails. The 3 hours spent hiking includes many photo and rest stops to learn about local plants, wildlife, history and glaciology. This trip is suitable for ages 7 and older.

Trip is 6 hours in duration

Available May 25-Sept 16, 2019

Departs: 12PM

Up to 4.2 miles hiking round trip

Round trip train ticket to Spencer Whistle Stop

Deli boxed lunch, bottled waters, granola bars/snacks

2 mile round trip shuttle from Spencer Whistle Stop to Spencer Lake

Small ratios (min: 2:1 max: 10:1)

Friendly, skilled, naturalist hiking guides

Guides pace the trip and distance to the groups’ desires, fitness and weather conditions

Helicopter Glacier Hike

Our Helicopter Glacier Landing and Guided Hike with Crampons is a trip of a lifetime! From the magnificent Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood, or in Portage if coming down by the fabulous Alaska Railroad- we group up – and take a short ride in a Sprinter van to our private landing zone in Portage Valley. After a heli safety briefing we hot load for a memorable scenic flight of about 10 minutes one way. Everyone has a window seat!After landing on glacier ice, we gear-up with helmets and crampons. Once the heli leaves, and after a safety talk and crampon practice with your skilled and experienced guide, we explore the glacier ice itself. We typically have 1.5 hours to discover amazing Ice features like: blue ice, crevasses, caves, rushing surface rivers, tubes, moulins, etc. This trip is suitable for ages 10 and older.

This trip is 6 hours in duration

Available YEAR ROUND

Round trip helicopter flight from Portage Valley to Spencer Glacier

World-class mountain/glacier guide (meets you on the Ice!)

Small ratios (max: 6:1)

20 miles of flying! Less than 1 mile walking on Ice

Real time satellite tracking and communication devices

Deli boxed lunch, bottled waters, granola bars/snacks

Crampons, helmets, other glacier gear and rain gear, if needed

Interpretative glaciology, ecology and natural history discussions

No experience is necessary. This trip should be considered an “easy to moderate activity”. We recommend that you are capable of a few hours of moderate exercise each day.

Alpine Hiking at Alyeska Resort

Hike far above treeline in the high-alpine tundra of Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. The Alyeska Glacier is nestled in Glacier Bowl of the Alyeska Ski Resort, located in beautiful Girdwood, Alaska. Overlooking breathtaking views of the Turnagain Arm and towering alpine peaks, hikers are consistently awed by traveling up and onto this small snow-covered glacier.Alpine Hiking guests ride the Scenic Alyeska Tram up to 2,300 feet and back down to the Hotel Alyeska near sea level. From the upper mountain tram, we hike a scenic ridge line surrounded by the 7 Glaciers of the Girdwood Valley and outstanding views up to the glacier making photo and rest stops along the way. In totality, we hike for 2-3 hours for a distance of 1 mile round trip with an 800 foot elevation gain. In Glacier Bowl (depending on conditions) we hike up high onto glacier snow field or in late summer, a remnant rock covered glacier. This trip is suitable for ages 7 and older.

In totality, we hike for roughly 2 hours (whole trip is about 3) for a distance of 1 mile round trip with an 800 foot elevation gain.

Available from June 15- Sept 16, 2019

Departs: 9AM

Trip min: 2 people. Max: 30 people

Aerial scenic tram ticket

Naturalist glacier guide

Granola bars/snacks and bottled waters

Ecology, glaciology and natural history discussions

Trekking poles and extra attire, if needed

No experience necessary

Guests will be required to fill out an adventure application and waiver.

Nature Hike

Enjoy a Nature Hike in Girdwood while exploring part of the Historical Iditarod Trail. A naturalist guide will point out and discuss the flora and fauna of North America’s northern-most temperate coastal rainforest. In the company of a naturalist, you will: Nibble on edible leaves, flowers and berries, Explore traditional and contemporary herb lore, Identify bird song & animal behaviors, Enjoy stories about Native and Alaskan history. When blueberry season is in full swing the trail is blooming with scrumptious delights sure to please anyone. You may even see a moose! Trips start & finish at the Tramway Circle at the Hotel Alyeska. The Winner Creek trail has gentle, graded, maintained sections with boardwalks as well as plenty of rugged, rooty sections of trail. This moderate and informative 5 mile (round trip) hike consists of a walk over the Winner Creek Gorge on a boardwalk. This trip is suitable for ages 7 and older.

This is an easy to moderate activity; however, no experience is necessary.

Crow Pass Hike

Glaciers, waterfalls, wildflowers, and mining ruins add some spice to the hike to Crow Pass, as if it needed any. The pass is the highest point on the historic Iditarod Trail and one of the finest day hikes in South-central Alaska. Arctic ground squirrels, marmots, and mountain goats inhabit the high country near Crow Pass, and bears, moose, and Dall sheep are frequently spotted too, especially on the Eagle River side of the pass. THIS IS A FANTASTIC HIKE! The trail is relatively snow-free by late June, though the Crystal Lake basin south of the pass and some of the gullies north of the pass may hold snow well into the summer. An alpine pass, mountain glaciers, mining and Iditarod Trail history, wildlife, and access to off-trail wilderness rambles; one of South-central Alaska’s classic alpine traverses. This trip is suitable for ages 9 and older.

This is a strenuous activity. Previous hiking experience suggested. To maximize your enjoyment on this hike, we recommend you can hike up to 10 miles of flat terrain or can run 5 miles or participate regularly in other sustained high intensity physical and cardio sports or activities. Your cardio and fitness levels will be challenged on this hike!

This trip operates in all weather conditions

Trips start and finish at the tramway circle at the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood.